Circular 2/1996.
Vine pruning standards

All registered grape growers are reminded that, according to the stipulations of sections 3 and 4 of art. 6 of the DOCa RIOJA Regulations, the pruning systems will be as follows:

• Traditional bush or en vaso system and its variants with a maximum load of only 12 buds per vine over a maximum of six spurs.
• Espalier or trained pruning may be carried out albeit subject to the following requirements:
  • In the double cordon system, the maximum load will be 12 buds distributed over a maximum of six spurs.
  • For the rod and spur system the load will be distributed along a rod and one or two spurs with two buds with a maximum of 10 buds per vine.
• In any case, for the Garnacha variety, the maximum load will be 14 buds per vine.

Regarding vineyard density, under no circumstances may the maximum limit of 36,000 buds per hectare be exceeded, except for the Garnacha variety, for which 42,000 buds per hectare will be allowed.

In view of a recommendation of the Technical and Control Committee and the reports filed in recent years regarding violations of these rules, the Control Board Plenary reminds grape growers that pruning work in vineyards must be completed within the dormancy period, before bud break. The maximum load limits set out in sections 1, 2 and 3 of the aforementioned Article 6 of the Regulations depending on training system and grape variety shall be adhered to.

Like every year, when bud break begins, the Control Board Overseers will inspect the municipalities of the Wine Region  in order to verify compliance with these precepts.

All grape growers are reminded that usual complementary tasks, the so-called green pruning, carried out after bud break do not exempt from responsibility with respect to disciplinary proceedings that may have been initiated as a result of loads exceeding maximum loads having been detected in vineyards. Likewise, they are reminded that the filing of disciplinary proceedings for these infractions has consequences with regard to the maximum production limits authorised for harvesting, in addition to the applicable monetary sanction, not allowing yields higher than those fixed by the Control Board for the municipality where the vineyard in question is located.

Registered stakeholders are hereby notified for such effects as may obtain.

Logroño, 11 March 1996

THE GENERAL SECRETARY,

José Mª Sabando Villanueva